Fluid pressure apparatus



Nov. 10, 1931. 'w. G. ABBOTT. JR 1,331,336

* FLUID PRE APPARATUS F led Jude 5, 1928 3 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 In I I I jiyerefifl Q, J):

I wya- 1 Ngv. 10, 1931. w. 5. ABBOTT, JR 1,831,336

FLUID PRESSURE APPARATUS Filed June 5, 192a 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Marsh? 0; Qofi Jr.

Patented Nov. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES .WILLIAM G. ABBOTT, an, on mirronnnnw HAMPSHIRE FLUID rnnssunn APPARATUS Application filed. June 5, 1928. Serial No. 282,980.

This invention relates to pumps, compressors, motors, and the like, and particularly to apparatus of this general class in which relative movement between fluid pockets and a centrifugally held body of fluid is utilized to obtain the desired compression, suction, or torque. V v

My United States Patent No. 1',102,222.illustrates different embodiments of pumps or compressors of this general type, and the resent invention. is designed more particuarly to permit greater flexibility'in the ef fective capacity of devices of this character. To this end an additional relative motion between the fluid pockets and the centrifugally held body of fluid isprovided, whereby the pumping or working capacity of the apparatus may be increased or decreased for a given rotational speed. of the rotors about their own centers. Thus, while avoiding excessiverotative speed, a considerable increase in pumping capacity may be attained with a pump ofmoderate size, or .means may be arranged whereby. the pumping capacitymay be varied widely to suitdifferent conditions While the-rotors may continue to move about their own axes at a substantially constant preferred speed: My above-identified patent illustrates an inner rotor having a helical passage which gradually diminishes in capacity from its low to its high pressure end, said passage having a portion of each of. its convolutions submerged in the body of centrifugally held fluid and providing segmental .or substantially crescent-shaped pockets toreceive the fluid-to be pumped or the motor fluid), these fluid pockets having a lateral movement whereby they are compressed (or expanded) due to the change in capacity of the helical passage. According to the presentinvention an additional relative motion between the centrifugally held body of liquid. and the helical passage is superimposed upon the relativerotat ve motion disclosed by the patented invent1on,,the pockets not only being given a lateral motion due to the screwing effect of the rotating helical passage which is partially submerged in the centrifugally held body, but also a rotary and/or rolling motion so that this movement from one end of the heli- 'ly thedesirable rotative speed of the inner rotor about its own axis is determined by the" speed of the outer casing whichcontains the centrifugally held liquid, the speed of the latter being necessarily highenough to provide the desired maximum pressure upon the inner surface of the liquid body and being limited by necessary mechanical considerations. The present invention, however,permits the speed ofithe inner rotor to be maintained within the preferred range, while permitting variation in the working rate of the apparatus.

In the accompanyingdrawings:

Fig. 1 is a central sectional view through one form ofthe improved apparatus; and

Figs. 2, 3 and 4c are more or less diagrammatic sectional views showing successive positions of the inner and outer rotors and the 8 centrifugally held liquid body which is illustrated in Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to Fig; 1 of the accompanying drawings, the standards 1 are arranged to support a rotatable shaft 2 about the intermediate portion of which is arranged the outer'rotor or casing 3. Fixed to the shaft'2 are eccentric elements 4 sup porting bearings 5 upon which the casing 3 is rotatably mounted. .It is thus evident that P the casing 3 is rotatably and eccentrically mounted in relation to the shaft 2, the casing having its rotational axis coincident with the center line C of the members 4. The inner rotor 7 is located within casing 3 and is rotatably mounted upon an eccentric throw 8 of the shaft 2. The offset portion 8 accordingly determines the rotational axis of rotor 7, this center being indicated by the line H. The throw 8 and the eccentric members 4 are 100 preferably disposed at opposite sides of the axis M of shaft 2; in other words the axes H, M and C may lie in the same plane.

The member 7 carries a helical passage which diminishes in effective capacity as it approaches its high pressure end. For this purpose, I preferably provide a helical flange 10, the pitch of which gradually decreases as it approaches the larger end of drum 7, the diameter of this rotor being greater at the high pressure end.

Located within casin 3 is a body of liquid 11, such as water or mercury or any other suitable liquid, which upon rotation of the casing 3 at an appropriate speed will form a liquid ring or annulus due to the effect of centrifugal force. The inner surface of this annulus is so disposed in relation to the flange 10 and rotor 7 that crescent-shaped pockets are provided in each convolution of the helical passage, these fluid pockets being separated from each other by portions of the centrifugally held liquid body 11' which afford a liquid seal and in effect form liquid pistons. The end 14 of flange 10 is adapted alternately to be submerged in the centrifugally held liquid and to pass into fluidwithin the low pressure chamber. Any suitable inlet ports 16 may be arranged to supply air or other fluid. to this inlet chamber. It is thus evident that rotation of the inner rotor 7 in relation to the liquid ring will result in the initial trapping of a crescent-shaped pocket of air'or other fluid by the end of the helical flange, continued rotation of the helical passage resulting in the compression'of this confined body. of air as it moves toward the outlet end of the helical passage. The fluid pistons between the crescent-shaped pockets which are provided by the submerged portion of the passage gradually and steadily compress the confined bodies of gas due to the decreasing pitch of the spiral flange. As the capacity of the convolutions decreases, the increasing pressure of the confined fluid trapped within the convolutions tends to distort or displace the inner surface of cylinder 11. To compensate for this effect the diameter of drum .7 is gradually enlarged toward the outlet or high pressure end of the helical flange. The gradual constriction of the helical passage and the tapersof drum 7 are so proportioned as to maintain a practically constant immersion of each convolution of the flange 10. Accordingly the pressure secured by this apparatus, when. used as a pump, will depend upon the constriction of the helical passage and the artificial hydraulic or fluid head of the pressure due to the action of centrifugal force holding the liquid ring in place, while the pumping capacity or speed will be determined by the rotative speed of the helical passage.

An annular flange 40 has its periphery submerged in the liquid annulus thus cooperating with the same to form a high pressure chamber and obviating the need of packing the adjoining portion of shaft 2. Outlet passage 41 in the rotor 7 is adapted to supply compressed fluid to the hollow portion 42 of shaft 2, the end of the latter being arranged within bracket 1 to supply fluid to the fixed pipe 44. Packing 55 may be arranged around shaft portion 8 at each side of duct 42.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the speed of pumping may beincreased or decreased due to a planetary motion which is superimposed upon the rotation of the rotors about their own axes.- Thus in the illustrated embodiment of the invention both the rotor 7 and the rotor 3 turn about axes H and C respectively which are eccentric in relation to the axis of shaft 2 and which are rotatable about the same; Thus the position of the crescent shaped pockets, which is determined by the eccentric relation ofthe rotors in relation to each other, is not fixed'in relation to the center of shaft 2 but rotates about the same. For example, if it is desired to increase the pumping capacity of the apparatus while maintaining the movements of the inner and outer rotors at-substantially equal speeds in the same direction, I may rotate the shaft 2 with its eccentric elements 4 and 8 at a suitable speed in the opposite direction.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are typical representations of the resulting effect and therelative movement of the parts. As shown in these figures, the inner and outer rotors 7 and 3 may turn counterclockwise at approximately the same speed, the inner rotor turning somewhat faster than the outer rotor for practical reasons,

which will presently be discussed; The shaft 2 with the eccentric portions 8 and 4 which are indicated by the symbols H and O in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, indicating the centers of rotation of the rotors 7 and 3 respectively, rotates in a clockwise direction. This results in a change in position of the eccentric relation of the inner and outer rotors and consequently the. rate of fluid compression is no longer dependent merely upon lateral translation due to the rotation of the helical passage about its own axis but also is affected by the rolling engagement of the passage or flanges 10 with the inner surface of the centrifugally held liquid body.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate various relative is considerably increased. Thus comparing 353 the position of the parts in Figs.- 2, 3 and 1, the entering end 14 of the helical flange is first shown substantially intermediate the body of air which is being trapped. While passing from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3, the entering end of the flange has been immersed in the liquid body and is starting to trap a second body of a air, this action being finished and the entering flange end again being immersed by the time the revolutlon is completed, as shown in Fig. 3. Thus during one revolution of a gear 27, the latter being carried by a sleeve 28 that is concentricwith and rotatable about shaft 2. Any suitable'driving means such as gears 31, 32 may impart rotation to the sleeve from any suitable factor. Fixed within casing 3 is a suitable internal gear 26 which is in engagement with a gear 37 of somewhat smaller diameter that is carried by the rotor 7 Thus, rotors 3 and 7 turn'in the same direction and at approximately the same speed.

While Figs. 2, 3 and4 illustrate the operation of the device when the shaft 2 is rotated in a direction opposite to that of the rotors, it is obvious that the shaft and rotors may be moved in the same direction to reduce the capacity of the device or that the relative speeds and movements may be varied to'suit variable requirements. Thus a vari able speed, reversible motor may be connected to driving gears 31, 32 so that the rate at which the fluid is trapped in the helical passage may vary widely, although the rotors continue to move at the preferred speed due to the torque received from gear 20. It is further evident that, if desired, driving factors 20 and 31 may be interconnected sothat a predetermined relative movement is im-. parted to the various components of the apparatus.

Obviously the principles of this invention may be Widely varied and may be adaptedto many different requirements. lVhile the illustrated form of the inventionparticularly discloses an inner and outer rotor arranged to provide a compressor, both rotors being i eccentrieally mounted, the same principles may be applied when the apparatus is used as a motor. Furthermore, a similar effect may be obtained when only one of the rotors is occentrically mounted or provided with a planetary motion rather than both of the Asshown in Fig. 1, for example, 1

same. In such a case suitable counterweight-s may be provided to prevent vibration. Obviously in the illustrated embodiment of the invention the mounting of the rotors in opposed eccentric relation to each other permits them to be arranged so that the entire system is in rotational balance as well as each of the elements thereof, thus permitting the provision of a rotary pump without undue vibration. While I have particularly illustrated and described an inner member carrying a helical flange which cooperates With the centrifugally held liquid by forming crescent-shaped fluid pockets, the particular form of inner member's adapted and arranged to provide pockets for expanding or compressing a fluid on passagethrough the apparatus is not essential to the invention, so long as the fluid pockets are arranged and adapted to operate with the effect described. In other adaptations of the invention paddles maybe arranged upon the inner rotor to impart movement to the liquid body While the outer casin is held stationary, or the inner rotor may oe stationaryand the outer rotor may have a the same.

I claim:

1. A hollow outer casing containing a body of liquid, means to maintain said liquid in position by centrifugal force, a rotor having a helical passage partially submerged in said centrifugally held body of liquid, an inlet passage communicating with one end of said helical passage and an outlet communicating with the opposite end, said-passage being of gradually diminishing capacity from its low pressure to its high pressure end, said rotor and said casing eaohbeing rotatable about its own axis, and means for imparting rotation to each of these axes about a third axis, wherebythe casing and rotor each have a planetary motion.

2. A hollow outer rotor containing a body of liquid, means to maintain said liquid in position by centrifugal forceto form a liquid annulus, aninner rotor having a helical passage partially submerged in said centrifugally held body of liquid, an inlet passage communicating with one end of said helical passage and an outlet communicating with the opposite side,said passage being of gradually diminishing capacity from its low pressure to its high pressure end, said rotors each being rotatable about separate axes, and means for impartin rotation to each of these axes about a third axis, said rotor axes being arranged at opposite sides of the third axis, whereby the rotors each have a planetary motion. I V

3. A hollow outer casing containing a body of liquid, means to maintain said body of liquid in position by centrifugal force, an inner member having a helical passage defined by a helical flange partially submerged a planetary motion in relation to V in said body of liquid, an inlet passage communicating with one end of said helical pas: sage and an outlet passage communicating with the other end of said helical passa e, said helical passage having a gradually e-' creasing capacity from its low pressure end toward its high pressure ,end, and means to eli'ect a relative rotative movement between the helical passage and the inner portion of the liquid annulus and a relative rolling movement between the same.

4. A hollow outer casing containing a body of liquid, means to maintain said liquid in position by centrifugal force to form a liquid annulus, a rotor having a helical passage partially submerged in said centrifugally held body of liquid, an inlet passage communicating with one end of said helical passage and an outlet communicating with the opposite end, said passage being of gradually diminishing capacity from its low pressure to its high pressure end, said rotor and said casing each being-rotatable about its own axis, and means for impart-ing planetary movement to one of the respective axes.

.5. A hollow outer. casing containing a body of liquid, means tomaintain said liquid in position by centrifugal force to form a liquid annulus, .a' rotor having a helical passage formed by a helical flange partially submerged in said centrifugally held body of liquid, an inlet passage communicating with one end of said helical passage and an outlet communicating with the opposite end, said passage being of gradually diminishing capacity from its low pressure to its high pressure end, said rotor and said casing each being rotatable about its own axis, a shaft sup porting said rotor and arranged within said casing, said shaft having an eccentric portion, the rotor being rotatable about the same, said shaft also being rotatable whereby the rotor has a planetary motion. 7

6. A hollow outer casing containing a body of liquid, means to maintain said liquid in position by centrifugal force to form a liquid annulus, a rotor having a helical passage partially submerged in said centrifugally held body of liquid, an inlet chamber communicating with one end of said helical passage and an outlet chamber communicating with the opposite end, said passage being of gradually diminishing capacity from its low pressure to its high pressure end, said rotor and said casing each being rotatable about its own axis, a shaft supporting saidrotor and arranged within said casing, said shaft having an eccentric portion, the rotor being rotatable about the same, means providing another and oppositely eccentric portion on the shaft, the casing being rotatable about the latter, the shaft also being rotatable about its own axis whereby the casing and rotor both have planetary motions. I

7 A hollow outer casing containing a body of liquid, means to maintain said body of liquid in position by centrifugal force, an inner member having a helical passage formed by a helical flange, partially submerged'in said body of liquid, an inlet passage communicating with one end of said helical passage and an outlet passage communicating with the other end of said helical passage, said helical flangev being of gradually decreasing pitch from its low pressure end toward its high pressure end, and means to-effect. a relativerolling movement between the helical passage and liquid body.

8. A hollow outer casing containing a body of liquid, means to maintain said liquid in position by centrifugal force, ,amember rotatable within the casing, said member being arranged to cooperate with the liquid body to provide a plurality of axially spaced fluid pockets, means for rotatin the inner member to change the volumetric capacity of the respective pockets, means for imparting a planetary motion to the inner member for varying therate of change of volumetric capacity ofthepockets, means for, admitting fluid to the pockets, and means for discharging fluid from the pockets.

9. Mechanism of the class described comprising a hollowouter-member containing a body of liquid, means to maintain said liquid in position by centrifugal force, an inner member rotatable within the hollow outer member, means providing a plurality of axially spaced fluid pockets between the inner member and the liquid body, means for imparting rotary movement to the respective members, means effective upon rotary movement of one of the members for changing the volumetric capacity of the respective pockets, means for causing the axis of rotation of the rotary member to revolve in an orbit whereby that member has a planetary movement and the rate of change of volumetric capacity of the pockets is varied, means for admitting fluid to the pockets, and means for discharging fluid from the pockets.

10. A hollow outer rotor, a body of liquid within the same, means to maintain said liquid lod in position by centrifugal force, an inner rotor, means providing a plurality of axially spaced fluid pockets between the inner rotor and the liquid body, means for imparting rotary movement to the inner rotor, rotation of the inner rotor in one direction being effective to gradually vary the volumetric capacity of successive pockets, means for admitting fluid to one of the pockets, means for discharging fluid from a succeeding pocket, means providing for the turning of one of the rotors about an axis eccentric to its own axis of rotation whereby a substantiallyplanetary motion is afforded, variation in the speed and directionof said turning motion being effectivein varying the rate of change of the between pistons and passage with volumetric capacity of the pockets at any constant rotational speed of the inner rotor.

11. A casing, a body of liquid within the same, means to maintain said liquid in place by centrifugal force to form a liquid annulus, an inner member, a helical flange upon the latter, said flange having its outer edge immersed in the liquid annulus, the pitch of said helical flange gradually diminishing whereby the flange defines a helical passage of gradually decreasing capacity from its high pressure end to its low pressure end, the ends of the flange terminating in a low pressure chamber and high pressure chamber respectively at opposite ends of the inner member, means providing an inlet for the low pressure chamber, means providing an outlet for the high pressure chamber, each convolution of said passage having a portion immersed in the liquid body thereby defining a series of crescent-shaped fluid pockets, and means to effect a relative rotative movement between the flange and liquid body and a relative rolling movement of the same whereby the volumetric capacity of successive fluid pockets is changed.

12. A casing, a body of liquid within the same, means to maintain said liquid in place by centrifugal force to form a liquid annulus, an inner member, a helical flange upon the latter, said flange having its outer edge immersed in the liquid annulus, the pitch of said helical flange gradually diminishing whereby the flange defines a helical passage of gradually decreasing capacity from its immersed in the liquid body thereby defining a series of crescent-shaped fluid pockets, and means to effect a relative rolling movement between the passage and liquid body, where by the volumetric capacity of successive fluid pockets is changed.

13. Mechanism for the purpose described comprising means to maintain an annular body of liquid under centrifugal pressure, a rotor having a helical passage on an axis eccentric to the axis of said annular body and arranged to intercept the latter, the intercept of liquid and helical passage being occupied by a series of liquid pistons relatively movable with respect to the helical passage, means for admitting fluid to the helical passage, means for discharging fluid from the helical passage, and means to rotate said rotor, in combination with means to cause one of said axes to travel in an orbit about the other for varying the rate of said relative motion spect to the rates of motion of said rotor.

14. Mechanism for the purpose described comprising means to maintain an annular body of liquid under centrifugal pressure, a rotor having a helical passage, on an axis eccentric to the axis of said annular body and arranged to intercept the latter, the intercept of liquid and helical passage being occupied by a series of liquid pistons movable with respect to the helical passage, means for admitting fluid to the helical passage, means for discharging fluid from the helical passage, and means to rotate said rotor, in combination with means to cause both of said axes to circulate about a third axis for vary ing the rate of said relative motion between pistons and passage with respect to the rate of motion of said rotor.

15. Mechanism for the purpose described comprising means to maintain an annular body of liquid under centrifugal pressure, a rotor having a helical passage on an axis eccentric to the axis of said annular body and arranged to intercept the latter, the intercept of liquid and helical passage being occupied by a series of liquid pistons relatively movable in relation to the helical passage, means for admitting fluid to the helical passage, means for discharging fluid from the helical passage, and means to rotate said rotor, in combination with means providing exterior operating connections operable at different rates to cause both of said axes to circulate about a. third axis at a predetermined rate variable upon varying the rate of drive of said connections, whereby to alter the rate of said relative motions between pistons and passage.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination of means for maintaining a liquid annulus, means for causing the liquid annulus to travel in an orbit, a rotor disposed within the liquid annulus, means providing a helical passage on the rotor for the translation of fluid therethrough, the helical passage having an inlet and an outlet, and means for causing the rotor to travel in an orbit within the liquid annulus.

17. The combination as set forth in claim 16, and means for varying the relative timed angular relation of travel in the respective orbits.

Signed by me at Milford, N. H., this 2nd day of June, 1928.

WILLIAM G. ABBOTT, JR. 

